What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing hives, stomach upset, swelling, or breathing trouble after eating sardines, pilchard, or other fish. It checks whether your immune system reacts to sardine/pilchard proteins by measuring IgE antibodies, which are the antibodies involved in allergic reactions. It's also useful if you suspect a fish allergy but haven't been able to pinpoint the exact trigger.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with the normal range explained so you know exactly what your number means. If your result is elevated, a practical next step is to avoid sardine and pilchard while watching for reaction patterns, and if you have a severe reaction like swelling or trouble breathing after eating fish, seek medical care right away. You can download the standard lab report from your account at any time, and use the trends feature to track your IgE levels if you retest later.

Who should consider this test?

Anyone who has had a reaction after eating sardines, pilchard, or similar fish should consider this test. It's also helpful for people with a family history of fish allergies or those who want to confirm a suspected sensitivity before eliminating fish from their diet unnecessarily. If you've had unexplained hives, stomach issues, or breathing symptoms around mealtimes, this test can help narrow down the cause.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common signs include hives or itchy skin, swelling of the lips or face, stomach cramps, nausea, or vomiting after eating fish. More serious symptoms like wheezing, throat tightness, or dizziness after eating sardines or pilchard are also strong reasons to test. Repeated mild reactions after fish meals are worth investigating even if they seem minor at first.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being processed at the lab. You'll get a notification once your report is available in your account, where you can view your IgE level along with what it means. No need to call or wait for a phone update — everything is accessible online as soon as it's ready.

How can I naturally support a healthy immune response to food allergens?

Keeping a food and symptom diary can help you spot patterns before they become bigger problems. Eating a varied, anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, omega-3s (from non-trigger sources), and whole foods supports general immune balance. Reducing stress and getting good sleep also help keep your immune system from overreacting. These habits support overall health but won't eliminate a true allergy, so avoidance of the trigger food remains key.

What does a high sardine/pilchard IgE result mean?

A high result means your immune system has produced antibodies that recognize sardine/pilchard proteins as a threat, which is called sensitization. This doesn't automatically mean you'll have a reaction every time you eat it, but it does raise the chances, especially if you've had symptoms before. The higher the number, the more likely a reaction could occur, so caution and avoidance are usually recommended.

What causes a high sardine/pilchard IgE result?

A high result happens when your immune system has been exposed to sardine or pilchard proteins and mistakenly identifies them as harmful, triggering antibody production. This can develop after repeated exposure over time, and some people are more prone to it due to genetics or other existing allergies (like shellfish or other fish). Cross-reactivity with other fish species can sometimes also raise your IgE levels.

How often should I retest?

If you're actively avoiding sardine or pilchard and want to see if sensitivity has changed, retesting once a year is reasonable. If you're still experiencing symptoms despite avoidance or want to confirm results after introducing the food again, retesting sooner may be helpful. Tracking your results over time in the trends feature makes it easy to see whether your levels are rising or falling.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

If your IgE level comes back elevated, the safest step is to avoid sardine, pilchard, and possibly other fish until you better understand your triggers. Pay attention to how your body reacts if you're ever accidentally exposed, and note the severity of any symptoms. For sudden severe reactions like swelling of the throat or difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Sardine/Pilchard IgE Test - Fish Allergy Screening

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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